Some say blondes have more fun, but we’re challenging that outdated adage. Many of our favorite styles from the past year were sported by a brunette (or a temporary brunette—no judgment here). Not to mention, the shade has range. From amber to raven, sombré to espresso, a good brunette dye job can do it all.
But don’t let all the possibilities overwhelm you (highlights, lowlights, caramel ends—oh my). Instead, look for a celeb with features similar to yours (eye color, skin tone, etc.) and use their photo as a reference. The experts at L.A.’s Nine Zero One say their most-requested shades are: smoky brown, natural brown, honey brown, chocolate brown, and cocoa brown, which, to us, all sound equally as delicious as lattes.
“Go according to your skin tone and eye color,” advised master colorist Felicia Dosso when asked about discovering the perfect brunette shade. “Deeper tones, like espresso, are more flattering on olive skin tones, while lighter, more chestnut tones are more flattering on fair skin. Eye color comes into play in terms of dramatic effect. The contrast of blue and green eyes with deeper tones is more dramatic, whereas, with lighter tones, it’s more subtle.”
Got it? Good! But there’s always more to discover. Below, find 55 beautiful brown shades you’ll want to bookmark for your next salon appointment.
